In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer is joined by Danelle Almaraz, Chief Impact Officer for Innovate Ed, who brings over a decade of experience in the field of continuous improvement in education. Together, they explore the universal challenges faced by educators, including the leadership pipeline shortage and the necessity of fostering student empowerment and future readiness amidst rapidly evolving educational demands.

Danelle discusses the importance of defining what "future ready" actually means and insists on a clear focus to help schools adapt and thrive. She emphasizes the role of continuous improvement processes and shared leadership in achieving substantive, sustainable changes in schools. The conversation also covers the strategies for building trust and buy-in among educators, which are critical for implementing successful changes.

Key insights include the need for clarity in goals, the empowerment of teachers through shared decision-making, and the creation of supportive environments that encourage innovative practices and continuous learning. Danelle and Seth discuss practical steps for schools to become future-ready—emphasizing student-centered learning, flexibility in approaches, and the importance of community and collaboration among educators.

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on making meaningful and lasting impacts in educational settings, understanding the complexities of system-wide changes, and the importance of aligning with core values and clear objectives to effectively prepare students for the future.


Guest Links:
1. Innovate Ed - https://innovateed.com/
2. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danelle-almaraz/

Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/

Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/

On this week's Make It Mindful, hosts Seth Fleischauer and Lauren Pinto welcome guest Forest Bronzan, co-founder and CEO of Digital Detox. The episode delves into the complex relationship between technology use and our lives. Bronzan shares insights from his work, particularly focusing on achieving a mindful balance between our digital interactions and core values, what it is to be present, and strategies for overcoming technology addiction. The dialogue is enriched by findings from Student Dora, a survey aimed at gauging the digital wellness of students, revealing how schools grapple with digital wellness and the imperative of fostering mindful technology use to positively augment our lives.

The episode navigates the polarized perspectives surrounding technology, underscoring the scarcity of a balanced stance, and categorizing parents based on their approach to technology and its regulation. It probes the expectations placed on educational institutions to develop digital citizenship, emphasizing the collective responsibility of schools and parents. Additionally, the conversation acknowledges the importance of self-awareness of digital habits and the ramifications of ignoring the reality of technological impact. Bronzan and the hosts also contemplate the positive facets of technology and social media, advocating for afacilitated approach to children's engagement with digital platforms. Concluding on a lighter note, the dialogue veers into personal preferences in emojis and how Bronzan maintains a minimal digital presence, primarily through LinkedIn, underscoring the overarching theme of mindful and intentional technology use.

Guest Links:
1. Digital Detox: https://www.digitaldetox.com/
2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forestbronzan/

Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/

Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/

Liz Gallo, the founder and CEO of Why Maker, joins host Seth Fleischauer to discuss the potential to revolutionize education through the lens of design thinking. Liz outlines her vision of making education more relevant and impactful by teaching students critical problem-solving skills and fostering empathy, all while preparing them for the complexities of the modern world (including navigating the implications of AI). She details Why Maker's ambitious goal to train one million educators over the next decade, emphasizing the potential to transform classroom environments into hubs of innovation and real-world relevance. Liz's insights on integrating design thinking into various content areas beyond STEM, and the balance between direct instruction and project-based learning, highlight the adaptability and breadth of this approach.

The episode delves deeper into the practical application of design thinking in education, underscoring the significance of process over product and the importance of nurturing empathetic thinkers. Liz shares how Why Maker's professional development initiatives aim to empower teachers by making them feel supported, valued, and equipped to bring about change in their teaching methodologies. This approach not only enriches the curriculum but also enhances students' readiness to tackle real-life challenges with creativity and empathy. Seth and Liz provide educators with a compelling blueprint for embedding design thinking in their classrooms, thereby paving the way for a future where education is closely aligned with the evolving demands of society and the workforce.

Guest links:
Liz Gallo
Why Maker - http://www.whymaker.co/

Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/

Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/